St. Rita hopes home court offers edge

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St. Rita boys volleyball coach Jill Nagel is hoping her team can put its home-court advantage to good use in the championship match of the St. Rita Sectional.

The Mustangs (26-9) will take on Morton, a 22-25, 25-21, 25-15 winner over Brother Rice in Friday’s semifinal, at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

St. Rita advanced to the sectional final with a down-to-the-wire, 25-16, 21-25, 25-22 win Friday over Reavis. The Mustangs are vying for their first berth in the IHSA state finals since 2003.

“Our program has won 10 straight regionals now, and we haven’t been to state since 2003, so it’s time for us to get back there,” Nagel said. “This is our first time hosting a sectional, and I think that can really help us. Playing on your own home floor never hurts. It certainly makes things a little easier.”

Nagel’s team will have its hands full with Morton (28-5). Morton features a fast-paced, two-setter attack, manned by senior Jose Valencia and junior Daniel Orozco. Senior outside hitter Jonathan Hernandez is a top offensive force.

One advantage St. Rita will have is height, as Morton’s starting lineup averages just 5-foot-8.

The 2009 Catholic League champion Mustangs feature 6-foot-3 senior middle hitter Andrew Kats, 6-4 senior right-side John Bisiules and 6-4 senior middle Colin Anderson, all of whom are capable of hammering the ball with efficiency.

Outside hitter Dave Fashingbauer, libero Mike Newton and setter Pat Hogan are also heavy contributors to the Mustangs’ attack.

After escaping against Reavis, Fashingbauer, a 6-1 senior, knows that he and his teammates can’t afford to overlook any opponent.

“We haven’t played Morton this year, but we know that they’re good,” Fashingbauer said. “Everybody at this point is good. We came pretty close to having our season end against Reavis, so we’ve got to be ready and we will be.”

Nagel also respects Morton’s capabilities.

“Even though we haven’t seen Morton this year, we know what they’re about,” Nagel said. “They’re extremely quick, and they play great defense. They’ve got the record they have for a reason. They’re good.”

Nagel is confident that if her team happens to get down early, it will respond.

“My guys have played from behind all year,” Nagel said. “I don’t know what it is, but we seem to be comfortable in that role. I think it almost threw us off winning that first game against Reavis. Hopefully, we get off to a good start against Morton.”

The Mustangs aren’t the only Southland team playing for a spot in the state finals.

Marist and Andrew will square off in the championship match of the T.F. North Sectional at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The two teams have yet to play each other this year.

Marist (33-5) knocked out Lincoln-Way Central 25-22, 25-14 in semifinal action. Outside hitter Joe Smalzer (6-foot-7) had 11 kills and setter Garrett Dempsey dished out 24 assists.

Andrew (25-12) outlasted a 30-win Sandburg team 25-21, 19-25, 25-23 in the other semifinal at T.F. North.

In 2008, the RedHawks fell to eventual fourth-place state finisher Providence, 25-21, 25-22 in the championship match of the Lincoln-Way Central Sectional.

The Thunderbolts did not advance to sectional play in 2008.